796 ITS SUPPRESSION. 



sinia, still supply the markets of Khartoom and Djidda. And 

 the Bongo Mittoo, and Babuckur, still supply the upper district 

 of the Bahrel-Ghazal. But we learn that by far the most im- 

 portant source of the trade finding its outlet on the northeast 

 is found in the negro countries to the south of Darfoor, whence 

 12,000 or 15,000 souls are annually exported, and greater 

 numbers still are drawn from the countries belonging to the 

 Niam-Niam king by right of conquest; and finally an im- 

 portant source is found in the mountains south of Kordofan, 

 where, after his bloody conquest, Mehemet Ali, the great re- 

 former and usurper in Egypt, allowed kidnapping to be a 

 legitimate source for the state revenue ; thus himself initiating 

 the iniquity which has been pursued with such Satanic cruelties 

 by his followers ever since. From these various districts the 

 slaves are carried in caravans across the country to the different 

 marts, and scenes of cruelty are witnessed which beggar de- 

 scription. 



This trade is of immense importance in connection with the 

 world's work in Africa, because everything else is involved in 

 it. We have seen this trade baffling the noblest missionary 

 efforts, retarding science and commerce, and entangling the feet 

 of the bravest explorers. We feel that it is not overmuch to 

 say, that but for the difficulties growing out of the slave-trade 

 alone, David Livingstone would have seen before his death his 

 cherished desire in prosperous mission stations in the heart of 

 Africa, and that he would have settled forever the great Nile 

 question. 



Various theories are advanced for its suppression. W T hat the 

 true policy will be proved to be, only the future can determine. 

 How soon any policy may be expected to bring success can 

 hardly be surmised. The difficulty on the eastern coast may be 

 met by the men-of-war, as it was on the west, whenever, at least, 

 a trifling compact may be done away with, under which the 

 Sultan of Zanzibar seems to hold the right of the trade in the 

 Indian Ocean. That along the Red Sea, which some years ago 

 was very considerable, has been greatly reduced ; there still 

 exists a powerful patronage for it in lords of Egypt. Sir Samuel 

 Baker persists in his belief that the Khedive was sincere in his 

 professions of anxiety to break the trade up, although he con- 



